conant



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

W. C. CONANT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CARPET-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 21,654, dated October 5, 1858.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, IVM. C. CONANT, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented anew and useful Improvement in CarpetStretchers, the construction and operation of which I have described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying draw ings with suihcient clearness to enable competent and skilful workmen in the arts to which it pertains or is most nearly allied to make and use my invention.

Uy invention consists in combining with the other' necessary parts of a carpet stretcher the clamp hereinafter described, for grasping the carpet, by which I avoid all danger of injuring it, and at the same time present its edge in a .straight smooth form in suitable shape for nailing, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a plan of my improved carpet stretcher, representing it as holding a piece of carpet ready for tacking. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, in which it is represented as embracing the carpet preparatory to stretching it.

A and B are two light rods of wood, the united length of which is at least sufficient to reach across the largest room in which the stretcher is intended to be used. The parts A and B are united as represented, by the bolt C, several holes being bored in each of the pieces, which is a provision for changing the effective length of the implement to correspond with the size of the room in which it is for the time being to be used.

The piece B has a clamp D attached to one end of it, which, in combination with the wedge E takes a firm hold of the carpet I",-one which cannot damage the carpet, and yet one which will not easily yield.

The operation is as follows: One corner or side of the carpet having been fastened down in place, the stretcher is placed upon it the end of the beam A against the wall, and the middle of the implement being raised at the oint so as to contract it enough that straightening it will stretch the carpet suiiiciently for the purpose. The carpet is then forced into the groove in the clamp D and followed by the wedge E, which, if properly pressed into its place will secure the carpet from slipping in consequence of any reasonable strain. This attachment should be made far enough back from the end to give room as shown at e for nailing the carpet. After the carpet is nailed the wedge is withdrawn and the implement removed to a new breadth of carpet, and the previous operation repeated till the work is finished.

By this apparatus the carpet is subjected to an equal strain without danger of being injured, which it would be if it was secured to the implement by being pierced with spikes or teeth; and yet it is held in a con venient position to nail.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim- A carpet stretcher made by combining the clamp and wedge D and E with the other necessary parts of a ca-rpet stretcher as set forth.

W. C. CONANT.

llVitnesses t CHAs. YV. THOMPSON, THos. I. How. 

